A Massachusetts man is responsible for supporting the twin girls born to his wife by in vitro fertilization, even though the couple had split before the children were conceived.

That was the decision of the Massachusetts Appeals Court on Tuesday, finding that Chukwudera B. Okoli must pay child support, even though the girls were conceived through IVF using donor sperm and eggs, and his ex-wife had agreed he would not have to be responsible for them, the Quincy Patriot Ledger reported.

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Okoli and his wife, Blessing, were childless during their nine-year marriage and eventually decided to separate. When eggs became available the following year, Chukwudera Okoli agreed, in writing, that Blessing Okoli could go ahead with IVF, on the condition that he would not be responsible for the children.

The girls were born in 2003 and, despite the agreement, Blessing Okoli began seeking child support from Chukwudera Okoli three years later.

The court ruled that Chukwudera Okoli was responsible for support because his actions resulted in the creation of a child, and the law will attach parental responsibilities as a result."

The attorney for Blessing Okoli said evidence showed that the couple was still together when they went for the IVF treatments and that he signed consent and authorization forms voluntarily participating in the program.

Chukwudera Okoli initially balked at going ahead with IVF in 2001, according to the ruling, but relented in exchange for his ex-wife's support in his bid for U.S. citizenship. Both are from Nigeria.

Blessing Okoli's attorney, Collins Akukwe, said Chukwudera Okoli already had a permanent resident alien card before he married the woman, so he couldn't be deported as he has claimed.